Cole Haan, Mildly Refreshed and Reinvented

As a marketer by trade, I'm continually interested in how mildly staid and conservative brands reinvent themselves. The most recent (and among the most assertive!) to hit my radar is Cole Haan.  Truth be told, I'm obsessed with their New York-specific campaigns, which have encompassed outdoor/subway advertising, pop-up dance parties, late night food trucks and their neat-o Tumblr, which focuses on #SubwayStyle. Try sorting by neighborhood or subway line for stark exercises in contrast. Clever, yes?

Of course, Cole Haan remains a fashion brand, so what I care about most is the product, most notably the shoes. Many of their styles remain a little conservative for my tastes personally, but THIS pump, the Chelsea Pointy High Pump in Larkspur Purple Snake Print (currently on sale for $229.95), is among many standout styles worth your attention this Spring. Like other styles from Cole Haan, the Chelsea incorporates Nike Air technology (Nike used to own Cole Haan, for those keeping score), which adds to the comfort level despite the towering 4" stiletto. The lavender feels so fresh for spring, with pastels having a major cultural moment. That said, there's also a bold green or a neutral sand, if you're so inclined. Shop: here.